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Maldives, officially the Republic of the Maldives[nb 1] and also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of a double chain of twenty-six atolls, oriented north-south, that lie between Minicoy Island (the southernmost part of Lakshadweep, India) and the Chagos Archipelago. The chains stand in the Laccadive Sea, about 700 kilometres (430 mi) south-west of Sri Lanka and 400 kilometres (250 mi) south-west of India.

For the majority of its history, the Maldives has been an independent polity, despite three instances during which it was ruled by outside forces. In the mid-15th century, for fifteen years, the Maldives was dominated by the Portuguese Empire. In the mid-17th century, the Dutch Empire (Malabar) dominated Maldives for four months. Finally, in the late 19th century, on the brink of war, the Maldives became a British protectorate from 1887 until 1965. The Dutch referred to the islands as the "Maldivische Eilanden" (pronounced [mɑlˈdivisə ˈɛi̯lɑndə(n)]),[citation needed] while the British anglicised the local name for the islands first to the "Maldive Islands" and later to the "Maldives". The islands gained independence from the British in 1965 and became a republic in 1968 ruled by a president and an authoritarian government.

The Maldives archipelago is located on top of the Chagos-Maldives-Laccadive Ridge, a vast submarine mountain range in the Indian Ocean. Maldives also form a terrestrial ecoregion together with the Chagos and the Lakshadweep. The Maldives atolls encompass a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi), making the country one of the world's most geographically dispersed. Its population of 328,536 (2012) inhabits 192 of its 1,192 islands. In 2006, Maldives' capital and largest city Malé, located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll, had a population of 103,693. Malé is one of the Maldives' administrative divisions and, traditionally, it was the "King's Island" where the ancient Maldive royal dynasties were enthroned.

The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the planet's lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest natural highest point in the world, at 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in). Forecasts of Maldives' inundation is a great concern for the Maldivian people

Maldives consists of 1,192 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, along the north-south direction, spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi), making this one of the world's most dispersed countries. It lies between latitudes 1°S and 8°N, and longitudes 72° and 74°E. The atolls are composed of live coral reefs and sand bars, situated atop a submarine ridge 960 kilometres (600 mi) long that rises abruptly from the depths of the Indian Ocean and runs north to south. Only near the southern end of this natural coral barricade do two open passages permit safe ship navigation from one side of the Indian Ocean to the other through the territorial waters of Maldives. For administrative purposes the Maldivian government organised these atolls into twenty one administrative divisions. The largest island of Maldives is Gan, which belongs to Laamu Atoll or Hahdhummathi Maldives. In Addu Atoll the westernmost islands are connected by roads over the reef (collectively called Link Road) and the total length of the road is 14 km (9 mi).

Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in), with the average being only 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, although in areas where construction exists, this has been increased to several metres. However, more than 80 per cent of the country's land is composed of coral islands that rise less than one metre above sea level.

Capital

MALE

Currency

Rufiyaa delle Maldive (MVR)

Country code

00960

Spoken languages ​​

dhivehi, English, Arabic

Passport

Passport: needed, whose survival must be at least one month after the planned return to Italy or, in cases of air travel via Dubai (United Arab Emirates) or via Doha (Qatar), six months from the date of re-entry (this to authorities of countries of transit). For any changes related to the survival of the Passport you should request to be informed beforehand at the Honorary Consulate of Italy in this Country or at your travel agent.

Health

In areas frequented by tourists there are endemic diseases and in principle are taken in large facilities normal hygiene measures. However, the country's health structures are not comparable to those of the EU and are completely inadequate to respond to any emergencies. In Malé, the capital, is a hospital in discreet level at which you can make payment in case of non-serious entity. For specific health interventions is necessary to transfer the sick in Italy or in the nearest town, equipped for the type of intervention (Singapore and New Delhi with travel time of about six hours from Malé). Tourists are not in perfect health conditions must be aware that in many villages do not have a resident doctor and that any emergency in the capital transfers may be slowed by the fact that flying seaplanes and only during daylight hours, while the night transport can take place only by sea depending on weather conditions. It is sometimes found that the sick, despite possessing a health insurance coverage with companies deemed reliable, is not transferred with due promptness. It is suggested to obtain an assurance that explicitly provides (in case of emergency) the timely transfer adequate hospital facilities, using the first aircraft instantly available (private or airlines) to transfer in neighbouring countries or in Italy. In particular, bearing in mind also fatal accidents have occurred in the past, we do not recommend the living to those who are suffering from certain types of pathologies and require sudden hospitalizations (cardiopatiche or vascular disease, hypertension, nefropatici, etc. ..) and to pregnant women. For tourists with disabilities should inquire about the presence of adequate facilities in the hotel where you stay. WARNINGS We recommend that you: • carry a stock of medicines, basic necessities such as fevers, headaches, intestinal problems, etc. • consume water and drink only bottled or canned, without added ice. Please note that in tropical areas it is recommended daily consumption of water about 3-4 litres (physical activity). • bring sunscreen with high protective screen and products to protect themselves from mosquitoes and insects. Wounds or abrasions caused by contact with corals should be carefully disinfected because often the corals are stinging. There have been frequent cases of otitis caused by bacteria found in large quantities in sea water plankton. In order to prevent these infections, it is recommended that thorough cleaning of the ears with fresh water after every toilet and preventive use disinfectants on indication of drops your doctor.

Climate

Tropical monsoon, with average temperatures between 27 and 35 degrees Celsius. The archipelago is subjected to two monsoons: the Southwest between May and October, which mainly affects the Islands in the North; the North-East, less violent, between November and April, which mainly affects the central part of the archipelago, at these times the rains are frequent.